Description of local environment
Air quality
Baseline air quality levels are likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic from the M90 carriageway and surrounding agricultural and residential activities. The Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) in 2023 for the M90 carriageway within the scheme extents (estimated count point: 50751), accounted for 39,186 vehicles, with 4,040 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
Eight residential air quality sensitive receptors have been identified within 200m of the works area (closest approx. 120m northwest). Non-residential air quality sensitive receptors have been identified within 200m of the scheme extents including Willowgate Activity Centre (approx. 80m west), Clover Holidays accommodation (approx. 140m northwest) and Perth Sailing Club (approx. 200m east).
Perth and Kinross Council have declared two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) at Perth City and Crieff High Street. Perth City AQMA is declared for its levels of particulate matter of a diameter less than 10 microns (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and is located partially within the scheme extents. Crieff High Street AQMA is declared for its levels of PM10 and NO2 and is located approx. 26km west of the scheme extents. No real-time air quality monitoring stations are present within 200m of the proposed scheme extents.
The Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) has identified the ENVA Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) facility located approx. 60m west of the proposed scheme extents. No other identified sources of pollution are present within 1km of the scheme extents.
Cultural heritage
The Amey ET&S Scotland GIS Constraints Map resource has been utilised to ascertain the designated and undesignated culturally significant assets within proximity to the scheme extents (see Tables 1 and 2 below). Designated assets have been determined using a buffer of 300m, whilst undesignated assets have been determined using a buffer of 100m. Where a designation is duplicated, only the highest level of classification has been listed below.
| Name and Designation | Reference Number | Description | Distance from Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinfauns Castle | LB11962 | Category C listed building. | 220m west |
| Name and Designation | Reference Number | Description | Distance from Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth, Friarton Bridge; Bridge | MPK6428 | Historic Environment Record (HER) | Within the scheme extents. |
| Limeyhaugh Fishing Lodge | 79805 | Canmore | 60m west |
Landscape and visual effects
The surrounding landscape consists of the River Tay watercourse, agricultural fields, woodland and the city of Perth. No National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or Garden Designed Landscapes (GDLs) have been identified within 500m of the scheme extents (Amey ET&S GIS Constraints Map). Scotland’s Landscape Character Type Map lists the landscape character type present within the scheme extents to be ‘Lowland Hills – Tayside’ (southern extents) and ‘Firth Lowlands’ (northern extent).
Due to the urban nature of the scheme, multiple residential visual receptors are present with sight of the Friarton Bridge however, with all works being contained within the box girders, it is not anticipated that visual receptors will have sight of the scheme. Footways are present running beneath and within sight of the Friarton Bridge, as are Perth and Kinross Council Core Paths ‘W/CAR’ with ‘W/CAR/50’ (‘Riverside Walk. Lairwell via Willowgate Fishery to Bellwood Park’) running beneath the scheme’s northern extent. No visual impacts are anticipated on these core paths with the works taking place within the box girders exclusively.
No Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) have been identified within 500m of the scheme extents.
Biodiversity
The areas surrounding the M90 Friarton Bridge adjacent to the scheme extents contains areas of dense woodland, farmland, the River Tay and the city of Perth. Scotland’s Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) has identified the Deuchny Wood ancient woodland (‘Long-Established (of plantation origin)’, site ID: 61) located approx. 360m north of the scheme extents.
NatureScot’s Sitelink resource has identified the presence of the River Tay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) located beneath the Friarton Bridge and approx. 400m south of the northern extents and 300m north of the southern extents of the scheme. Due to the potential for likely significant effects on these designated European sites, a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken for the scheme.
No Nationally designated sites (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Local Nature Reserves) have been identified within 200m of or have connectivity to the scheme extents.
The NBN Atlas resource has identified the presence of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) within 500m of the scheme extents including Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica). This resource has also identified the presence of Transport Scotland Target Species including Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), Curled dock (Rumex crispus) and Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) within this parameter. The Amey Environment North East Network Management Contract (NE NMC) INNS Map resource has also identified the presence of Giant hogweed beneath the M90 Friarton Bridge structure. The Transport Scotland Target Species Common ragwort has also been identified within this area using this resource.
The scheme and the surrounding habitat have been reviewed by a senior ecologist utilising desktop resources and in turn, a site visit was scoped out. The works containment within the M90 Friarton Bridge box girders has allowed for this conclusion due to the lack of disturbance expected on the surrounding environment as a result of this and the lack of protected species habitat (and/or access for protected species) regarding the box girders themselves.
The proposed scheme will take place over the Mean-High Water Springs of the River Tay, as defined by the Scottish Government Marine Directorate.
Geology and soils
The scheme is not located within 200m of any Geological Conservation Review sites (GCRs), or SSSIs designated for their geological significance (NatureScot’s Sitelink).
The National Soil Map of Scotland classifies the land surrounding the scheme extents (ground level) as ‘3.2’ (southern extent) and ‘5.2’ (northern extent) with regard to the Land Classification for Agriculture. This resource lists the soil present within the scheme extents (ground level) to be that of alluvial (southern extent) and mineral gleys (northern extent).
- Ochil Volcanic Formation - Andesite, pyroxene. Igneous bedrock formed between 419.2 and 393.3 million years ago during the Devonian period.
- Alluvium - Clay, silt, sand and gravel. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 11.8 thousand years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.
As a result of the works taking place strictly within made ground within the hardstanding access areas to the structure and within the M90 Friarton Bridge box girders, it has been determined that the project does not carry the potential to cause direct or indirect impact to geology or soils. As such, impact has been assessed as being ‘no change’ and has been scoped out of requiring further assessment.
Material assets and waste
The works are required to design and replace a subframe to support the walkway currently present within the M90 Friarton Bridge box girders. Materials used will consist of:
- GRP channel sections/columns;
- GRP handrail system;
- GRP mesh (potential to reuse current mesh);
- Stainless steel clamps;
- Yellow grip tape;
- Oil;
- Lubricant; and
- Vehicle fuel.
Wastes are anticipated to be metal fixings, the existing handrail system, the existing GRP struts and the existing/excess GRP mesh.
This scheme value is in excess of £350k and therefore a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will be produced. All wastes and unused materials will be removed from site in a safe and legal manner by a licensed waste carrier upon completion of the works. The appointed waste carrier will have a valid Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) waste carrier registration and the appropriate waste transfer note(s).
Noise and vibration
Baseline noise levels are likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic from the M90 carriageway and surrounding residential and agricultural activities. The AADF in 2023 for the M90 carriageway within the scheme extents (estimated count point: 50751), accounted for 39,186 vehicles, with 4,040 of these being HGVs.
Approximately 18 residential properties have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents with the closest property located approx. 120m northwest. Non-residential noise sensitive receptors have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents including Willowgate Activity Centre (approx. 80m west), Clover Holidays accommodation (approx. 140m northwest) and Perth Sailing Club (approx. 200m east).
Scotland’s Noise Map has indicated modelled day-evening-night noise levels (Lden) within 20m of the carriageway to be between 65 and 80dB, 60-75dB within 120m and 55-60dB beyond 120m.
The scheme is not present within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as noted within the Transportation Noise Action Plan.
Population and human health
The M90 carriageway within the scheme extents is located to the east of the city of Perth, Perth and Kinross. This section of the M90 carriageway links the city of Perth directly with the city of Dundee whilst also serving as a road-link to Fife and Midlothian. The city of Perth plays host to most public amenities and facilities, such as educational facilities, medical facilities and care facilities and acts as a destination point with regard to these amenities for nearby towns and villages accessed via the M90 including Bridge of Earn, St. Madoes, Glenfarg and Errol.
Approximately 18 residential properties have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents with the closest property located approx. 120m northwest. Non-residential properties have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents including Willowgate Activity Centre (approx. 80m west), Clover Holidays accommodation (approx. 140m northwest) and Perth Sailing Club (approx. 200m east).
The M90 Friarton Bridge within the scheme extents is not street-lit, contains no pedestrian footways, no laybys, no bus stops, no crossover points and no field access points. The A85 off/on-slips are present at the scheme’s northern extent whilst the Craigend Interchange is present approx. 200m south of the scheme’s southern extent.
Perth and Kinross Council Core Paths ‘W/CAR’ are present within 300m of the schemes northern extent with ‘W/CAR/50’ (‘Riverside Walk. Lairwell via Willowgate Fishery to Bellwood Park’) present running beneath the scheme’s northern extent specifically. No National Cycle Network (NCN) routes have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents.
Road drainage and the water environment
SEPA’s Water Classification Hub has identified the River Tay watercourse (site ID: 6498) flowing beneath the scheme extents. This section of the watercourse is classified under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as being in ‘Poor’ condition. Multiple unclassified (under the WFD) and minor watercourses have been identified within 500m of the scheme’s southern extents including drainage assets and an unnamed burn. These assets flow into the River Tay.
SEPA’s Water Classification Hub identified the groundwater conditions within the scheme extents (entitled ‘Perth’, site ID: 150583) as being in ‘Good’ condition.
SEPA’s Flood Map has identified that the River Tay flowing beneath the scheme and its banks are at a ‘High’ (approx. 10%) risk of river water flooding each year. Small, localised areas beneath the structure (including at the works vehicle access point at the north of the structure) are at a ‘Medium’ (approx. 0.5%) to ‘High’ (approx. 10%) risk of surface water flooding each year. The M90 carriageway within the scheme’s northern extents is drained via top-entry gullies.
The M90 carriageway within the scheme’s northern point is located within the Strathmore and Fife (including Finavon) Scottish Government Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). NVZs are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. Areas such as the Strathmore and Fife (including Finavon) NVZ either result or would likely result in a concentration equal or exceeding 50mg/l of nitrates in either surface or groundwater as a result of agriculture.
The proposed scheme will take place over the Mean-High Water Springs, as defined by the Scottish Government Marine Directorate.
Climate
Carbon Goals
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as amended by the Scottish Carbon Budgets Amendment Regulations 2025 sets out the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scotland. The prior annual and interim targets have been replaced by five-year carbon budgets, which sets limits on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted in Scotland.
The proposed carbon budgets are aligned with advice from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) and calculated in accordance with the 2009 Act. The 2025 Regulations define the baseline years for emissions reductions as 1990 for GHGs including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for others such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride (as set out in Section 11 of the Act). The budgets are as follows:
- 2026 - 2030: Average emissions to be 57% lower than baseline.
- 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 69% lower than baseline.
- 2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline
- 2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.
These budgets are legally binding and will be supported by a new Climate Change Plan, which will outline the specific policies and actions required to meet the targets.
Transport Scotland remains committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.
Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040.
Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the South West Network Management Contract (SW NMC) network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the SW NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.